Optimism In Marcus Hook After Phase-Two Of Redevelopment Study

MARCUS HOOK, Pa. (CBS) — Marcus Hook was hit hard when its refinery closed three years ago, but Delaware County council members are optimistic after phase-two of a study looking at redevelopment of the site. Phase one of the study started in 2012, after Sunoco announced it was closing its refinery and eliminating 500 jobs here at the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex.

“We wanted to be proactive after the Sunoco refinery was closing and we didn’t want it to sit idle like so many steel mills did across Pennsylvania,” said Delaware County Councilman John McBlain.

Three-plus years later, McBlain says that as many recommendations are being implemented, they’re also looking at results of phase two, which calls for nearly $1.5 billion dollars in capital improvements that the councilman says would bring thousands of construction jobs.

“And would employ hundreds of fulltime men and women in good paying jobs that will sustain families after these plants are built,” McBlain said.

He says they’ll market these findings to companies around the world, looking to continue momentum from opportunities from Marcellus shale gases.